What does preface mean?

Definitions for preface
ˈprɛf ɪspref·ace

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word preface.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. foreword, preface, prolusionverb

    a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book

  2. precede, preface, premise, introduceverb

    furnish with a preface or introduction

    "She always precedes her lectures with a joke"; "He prefaced his lecture with a critical remark about the institution"

Wiktionary

  1. prefacenoun

    The beginning or introductory portion that comes before the main text of a document or book.

    The book included a brief preface by a leading expert in the field.

  2. prefaceverb

    To introduce or make a comment before the main point.

    Let me preface this by saying that I don't know him that well.

  3. Prefacenoun

    The part of the liturgy that precedes the main part of the Eucharist

    The book included a brief preface by a leading expert in the field.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. PREFACEnoun

    Something spoken introductory to the main design; introduction; something proemial.

    Etymology: preface, Fr. præfatio, Lat.

    This superficial tale
    Is but a preface to her worthy praise. William Shakespeare.

    Sir Thomas More betrayed his depth of judgment in state affairs in his Utopia, than which, in the opinion of Budæus in a preface before it, our age hath not seen a thing more deep. Henry Peacham, of Poetry.

    Heav’n’s high behest no preface needs;
    Sufficient that thy pray’rs are heard, and death
    Defeated of his seizure. John Milton, Par. Lost, b. xi.

  2. To Prefaceverb

    Thou art rash,
    And must be prefac’d into government. Thomas Southerne.

    I love to wear cloaths that are flush,
    Not prefacing old rags with plush. John Cleveland.

  3. To Prefaceverb

    To say something introductory.

    Etymology: prefari, Lat.

    Before I enter upon the particular parts of her character, it is necessary to preface, that she is the only child of a decrepid father. Spectator, №. 449.

Wikipedia

  1. Preface

    A preface () or proem () is an introduction to a book or other literary work written by the work's author. An introductory essay written by a different person is a foreword and precedes an author's preface. The preface often closes with acknowledgments of those who assisted in the literary work. It often covers the story of how the book came into being, or how the idea for the book was developed; this may be followed by thanks and acknowledgments to people who were helpful to the author during the time of writing. A preface is often signed (and the date and place of writing often follow the typeset signature); a foreword by another person is always signed. Information essential to the main text is generally placed in a set of explanatory notes, or perhaps in an "Introduction" that may be paginated with Arabic numerals, rather than in the preface. The term preface can also mean any preliminary or introductory statement. It is sometimes abbreviated pref. Preface comes from Latin, meaning either "spoken before" (prae and fatia) or "made before" (prae + factum). While the former source of the word could have preface meaning the same as prologue, the latter strongly implies an introduction written before the body of the book. With this meaning of stated intention, British publishing up to at least the middle of the twentieth century distinguished between preface and introduction.

ChatGPT

  1. preface

    A preface is an introductory section of a book or other written work, typically composed by the author, that explains its purpose, acknowledges assistance received, and establishes context. It often includes the author's reasons for writing the work, their perspective, or their methods.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Prefacenoun

    something spoken as introductory to a discourse, or written as introductory to a book or essay; a proem; an introduction, or series of preliminary remarks

  2. Prefacenoun

    the prelude or introduction to the canon of the Mass

  3. Prefaceverb

    to introduce by a preface; to give a preface to; as, to preface a book discourse

  4. Prefaceverb

    to make a preface

Wikidata

  1. Preface

    A preface is an introduction to a book or other literary work written by the work's author. An introductory essay written by a different person is a foreword and precedes an author's preface. The preface often closes with acknowledgements of those who assisted in the literary work. A preface generally covers the story of how the book came into being, or how the idea for the book was developed; this is often followed by thanks and acknowledgments to people who were helpful to the author during the time of writing. A preface is usually signed; a foreword by another person is always signed. Information essential to the main text is generally placed in a set of explanatory notes, or perhaps in an "Introduction" that may be paginated with Arabic numerals, rather than in the preface. The term preface can also mean any preliminary or introductory statement. It is sometimes abbreviated pref. Preface comes from the Latin, meaning either "spoken before" or "made before". While the former source of the word could have preface meaning the same as prologue, the latter strongly implies an introduction written before the body of the book. With this meaning of stated intention, British publishing up to at least the middle of the twentieth century distinguished between preface and introduction.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Preface

    pref′ās, n. something usually of an explanatory kind, spoken before: the introduction to a book, &c.: the ascription of glory, &c., in the liturgy of consecration of the eucharist: a title or epithet.—v.t. to introduce with a preface.—adj. Prefatō′rial, serving as a preface or introduction.—adv. Pref′atorily.—adj. Pref′atory, pertaining to a preface: serving as an introduction: introductory. [Fr. préface—L. præfatiopræ, before, fāri, fatus, to speak.]

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of preface in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of preface in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of preface in a Sentence

  1. Isaac D?Israeli:

    Is a preface exquisitely written? No literary morsel is more delicious. Is the author inveterately dull? It is a kind of preparatory information, which may be very useful. It argues a deficiency of taste to turn over an elaborate preface unread: for it is the attar of the author?s roses, every drop distilled at an immense cost. It is the reason of the reasoning, and the folly of the foolish.

  2. Eyal Poleg:

    We know virtually nothing about This Bible – whose preface was written by Henry VIII Henry VIII – outside of the surviving copies.

  3. Sarah Gietschier-Hartman:

    We need to use the technology to be flexible, i know how I want my classes to go, but maybe I preface each lesson by saying,' I would love for you to do this activity, but I also understand that you may want to do this tonight and report back tomorrow.'.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

preface#10000#15499#100000

Translations for preface

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"preface." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/preface>.

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